Wounded by the weekend’s disappointing first quarter performance against Melbourne at the MCG, the Gold Coast SUNS limped back to the Gold Coast early this morning to begin preparations for Saturday’s home game against the GWS Giants with coach Guy McKenna adamant the inconsistent SUNS couldn’t afford another slow start against Kevin Sheedy’s Giants.
We can’t give GWS a sniff of victory, we need to come out hard and fast It was a frank response from a coach still reeling after the SUNS catastrophic first quarter against the Demons.
“We have got to play a consistent brand of footy for four quarters and on the weekend we didn’t do that and when we have been able to do that we have given ourselves a chance to win.”
What the coach does know is that he could be without up to seven regular senior players for the clubs eagerly anticipated rematch against the league new comers.
Luke Russel (shoulder), Zac Smith (ankle), Karmichael Hunt (shoulder), Sam Day (foot), Michael Rischitelli (knee), Dion Prestia (hamstring) and David Swallow (knee) all finished Sunday’s match with significant injuries while versatile utility Danny Stanley (sore) was a late withdrawal on game day.
While several of the battle weary SUNS players will receive around the clock treatment and be given every opportunity to prove their fitness ahead of Saturday’s game, the reality is the home team will be forced to dig deep into the NEAFL stocks.
To lose seven players in any round going into the next week, you lose almost a third of your side and especially when you are preaching continuity and chemistry of course it’s tough, said McKenna. “It’s the opportunity for some blokes to play for their careers and play for the jumper and our first win at Metricon.”
Regardless of the makeup of the side, McKenna is confident those selected will be ready to rip in come the opening bounce, the GC SUNS eager to make amends for their disappointing performance against the Giants in Canberra earlier this year.
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“I think the boys would have been naturally stung by that performance and so they should have been, and so as I said it’s an opportunity for us to win a game at Metricon Stadium and we are looking forward making sure that we reward the members for their patience and support and get a win on the weekend.”
When asked about the SUNS chances of delivering that much sort after Metricon milestone, McKenna was resolute in his response.
It’s a home game for us, the opportunity for five or seven knew faces in there, the seconds had the weekend off and should be nice and fresh so we give ourselves every opportunity for sure. The Giants are also confident of success on the Gold Coast with NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Stephen Coniglio, telling the GWS faithful on the Clubs website, they have the SUNS marked down as a winnable game.
"If we can play like we did against Port and have that kind of intensity in the first quarter then I think that we can shake a few teams up and hopefully get one or two more wins before the end of the season," he said
goldcoastfc.com.au will keep readers posted on the progress of the Clubs injured players throughout the week as we count down to Super Saturday Saturday at Metricon Stadium.
Injury Update
Nathan Bock – Fractured Right Tibia – Season
Sam Day – Foot – 3-4 weeks
Daniel Gorringe – Achilles – Indefinite
Karmichael Hunt – Shoulder - To be assessed
Jack Hutchins – Kidney – Season
Sam Iles – Hamstring – 2 weeks
Jaeger O'Meara – Groin – Season
Dion Prestia – Hamstring – 3-4 weeks
Michael Rischitelli – Knee – To be assessed
Luke Russell – Shoulder – To be assessed
Alex Sexton – Hip – Season
Zac Smith – Ankle – To be assessed
Danny Stanley – Hamstring – Test
David Swallow – Knee – Test
Seb Tape – Knee – Season
Rory Thompson – Ankle – Season
Joel Wilkinson – Ankle – Test
Click here for Gold Coast SUNS v GWS Giants "SUPER SATURDAY" ticketing and transport information.
